Floor or roof structure



June I, 1965 H. SKLAROFF 3,186,037

FLOOR OR ROOF STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

INVE N TOR HERBERT SKLAROFF BY M A TTORNE Y June 1, 1965 H. SKLAROFF 3,186,037

FLOOR OR ROOF STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 33a 35a 45 31 L L 51\ /49a /51@ 55 FIG. 3

41 /49b IL\ /51b United States Patent M 3,186,037 FLOOR 0R ROOF STRUCTURE Herbert Sklarotf, 8212 High School Road, Elkins Park, Pa. Filed Dec. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 161,842 2 Claims. (Cl. 20-6) This invention relates to prefabricated buildings and more particularly to large-surface structures to be used in prefabricated buildings as floors, roofs and the like.

Prefabricated buildings have become increasingly more in demand with the improved structural designs thereof. It has been found that prefabricated buildings, which can be built with factory precision and factory tolerances, are structurally more sound and less expensive than buildings built on the site. By using the apparatus and method described herein it is possible that as much as fifty percent of the final labor cost may be saved in the field construction of buildings. Moreover, despite the strides which have been made in the structural design of prefabricated buildings, it has been found that certain aspects of these buildings need to be structurally improved.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved large-surface structure to be used with prefabricated buildings which is both inexpensive and structurally sound.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved large-surface structure wherein the large surface is made up of a plurality of panels which are supported and locked into position by the supporting beams.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide said last-mentioned panels with means to interlock the panels with each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved main beam in combination with said improved large-surface structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simpler and easily constructed prefabricated roof or floor for a dwelling.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, a plurality of panels of two types is provided. The first type has two sets of three stringers (support members) each with one set separated from the other by a locking space. One stringer in each set overhangs the side of the panel along its length by one-half the width of the stringer to provide a means for coupling another panel in abut ment. The second type of panel has two sets of two stringers (support members) each. These last-mentioned stringers (in a set) are separated from one another by one-third of the width of said panel and respectively from an opposite length edge by one-third of the width of said panel- The stringers of both the first and second types of panels are cut and disposed to be short of the width end by a distance equal to one-half of the locking space mentioned above.

In accordance with another feature ofthe present invention, there is provided a plurality of support beams of two types. The first type, referred to throughout the description as a full beam, has two L-shaped sides while the second type, referred to throughout the description as anend beam has one L-shaped side. The stringers of the panels rest on the shelf portions of the L-shaped sides of the supporting beams. The top of a full beam is the width of the locking space and the top of an end beam is one half of the width of the locking space.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, there is provided a three sectional main beam with the sections secured together to support the supporting beams.

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference to Patented June 1, 1965 the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a floor structure;

FIGURES 1A and 1B are sectional views of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 2 is a layout of the underside of a stock panel;

FIGURE 3 is a layout of the underside of an end panel;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a full beam; and

FIGURE 5 is an end view of an end beam.

Although the present invention is described in connection with a floor structure, it is to be clearly understood that it can be employed with other large-surface structures such as a roof, wall and the like, and the teaching and the claims herewith are considered to include such structures.

Consider FIGURE 1 which shows a break-away plan view of a floor which has been fabricated according to the present invention. In the floor shown in FIGURE 1, the panels are placed perpendicular to the joists or support beams 11. The panels are arranged so that the abutting edges 13 thereof are perpendicular to a panel length edge such as edge 15. As will be more fully discussed below, a locking space formed by the abutting width edges of two panels such as edges 13, continues as a locking space along the underside of an adjacent panel, such as panel 17. By alternating the panels in this brick-like fashion, strength and rigidity are added to the floor structure.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the majority of the end panels (which are the panels whose edges define the ends of the floor structure which are not bordered by the end beams 19), such as panel 21, have two sets of two support members 23, shown in phantom. The support members are referred to hereinafter as stringers. Although the majority of the end panels have two sets of two stringers, some end panels, which fill in corner spaces such as panel 25, have only one set of two stringers. As will become more apparent in the discussion hereinafter, the stringers fit into L-shaped sides of the support beams 11 and the end beams 19.

The stock panels, such as panel 17 (as compared to the end panels), each have two sets of three stringers. One of the stringers for the stock panel in each set thereof overhangs the length edge by half of the width of the stringer to provide a means for further interlocking the panels With each other. The overhanging stringers 2'7 and 29 are depicted in phantom, and show the interlocking of panels 25 and 21 with panel 17.

Consider now FIGURE 2 which shows the layout of the underside of a stock panel 31. The stock panel 31 has two sets of three stringers as shown. The stringers 33 (33a, 33b and 330 make up one set and the stringers 35 (35a, 35b and 3510) make up the other set. Separating stringer set 33 from stringer set 35 is an integral locking space 37. The integral locking space 37, as will be discussed in connection with FIGURE 4, is equal to the width of the top or" a full beam 11. The stringers are dimensioned and placed so that they are short of the width edge 39, by one half of a joinder locking space.

That is, the space 41 is equal to one half of the width of the top of a full beam. Hence, when two panels are joined at the width ends 39, the locking space formed between the stringers of one panel and the stringers of an adjacent panel is equal to the width of the top of a full beam 11.

Further, as can be seen in FIGURE 2, the stringers 33a and 35a overhang the length end 45 by one half of the width of a stringer. The opposite length end 43 does not have any stringers overhanging. The panels are joined by abutting the length end 43 of one panel with the length end 45 of an adjacent panel. In this way, the panels are secured together along the overhanging stringers. Securing the panels together in this fashion gives additional strength and rigidity to the floor structure.

In FIGURE 3, there is shown an end panel 47 which has two sets of two stringers. The one set of stringers 49 (49a and 49b) is separated from the other set of stringers 51 (51a and 51b) by an integral locking space 53. The integral locking space 53 is the same width as the top of a full beam 11 (and the same width as the integral locking space 37 of the stock panel 31 in FIG- URE 2). The partial locking space 55 is one half of the width of a full beam 11 and when one end is joined with another panel at the width ends 57 a joinder locking space equal to space 53 is formed. The end panels define the end of the floor structure (which lies on the bridging 20) which is not defined by the end beams 19 (FIGURE 1). For instance, the length end 59 might be on the bridging member 20 (FIGURE 1) while the length end 61 overlies the overhanging stringers (such as stringers 32a and 35a of FIGURE 2) of an adjacent stock panel to be secured or interlocked thereto.

FIGURE 4 depicts a full beam 11 or floor joist. From the upper portion of the full beam 11, there has been cut along the length thereof, two rectangular solid portions. The removal of the rectangular solid portions forms two L-shaped sides 63 for the beam 11. The full beams are run from a bridging member 20 (FIGURE 1) to the girder 85 (FIGURE 1). The stringers of the panels have a depth measurement equal to the stem 65 of the L-shaped side 63. Since the locking spaces, as was mentioned earlier, are as wide as the top 67 of the full beam 11, the panels snugly fit over the upper portion of the full beam in a tongue and groove fashion. When the panels are thus fitted on the full beams, the bottoms of the stringers rest on the shelf portions 67 of the L-shaped sides 63. In this way, the panels are locked vertically and horizontally onto the full beams 11 even without securing means, such as nails. This type of floor structure has increased strength and rigidity because of the support given to the panels by the L-shaped full beams. In addition, the assembling of these floors is made relatively easy, but within high tolerances, because of the tongue and groove eflFect of the novel floor arrangement.

FIGURE depicts an end beam 19 with one L-shaped side 71. The end beams 19 define two ends of the floor structure as can best be seen in FIGURE 1. The top 73 of the end beam is one half the width of the top 67 of the full beam 11. It will be recalled that the ends of the stringers form a one half locking space (such as space 41 in FIGURE'Z) which matches the width of the top 73 of end beam 19. Therefore, the end beam accommodates the panels which are defining the end of the fioor structures which is not defined by the bridging members.

FIGURE 1A is a sectional view of FIGURE 1 along the lines AA and depicts the sheathing section 75 ecured to the stringers 77 and 79. The stringers 77 and 759 lock the panel to the full beam 11 and the end beam 19. The end beam 19 is shown resting on a sill plate 81 while the masonry wall 83 has a portion cut therefrom to accommodate the girder 85. FIGURE 1A clarifies the arrangement of the panel on the end beam side of the structure.

FIGURE 1B is a cross section of FIGURE 1 along the line BB. Clearly depicted in FIGURE 1B is the manner in which the full beams 87 and 89 are joined and rest on the girder 85. It will be noted in FIGURE 1B that the girder 85 is made up of three sections 85a, 85b and 850. The outer sections 85a and 85c are secured to a slightly wider center section 85b. Such an arrangement provides the same strength as a one piece girder of the same dimensions, but is more economical to produce.

It will be further noted that the girder 85 need not be made of a single beam comprising sections 85a, 85b and 85c. Instead, two ar more girders may be joined to accommodate varying floor dimensions. The manner in which the girders are joined is shown in FIGURE 1. In particular, section 85a is permitted to extend over section 85b, which in turn extends over section 850. The girder to be joined has its corresponding sections 85a 85b and 85c overlapping in a manner opposite to that previously described for sections 85a, 85b, and 85c so that the girder may be joined securely in an overlapping manner.

The upper right hand corner of FIGURE 1 is shown cut away to show the arrangement of the structural members at a corner including the bridging member 20 and the end beam 19.

While the foregoing description sets forth the principles of the invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A floor or roof structure to be used with a prefabricated building comprising in combination: a plurality of full beams each having a pair of substantially rectangular recesses, one on each side, and along the length thereof to form first and second L-shaped sides; a pair of end beams each having a substantially rectangular recess to form an L-shaped side and disposed on opposite ends of said structure with the L-shaped sides facing inward, the L-shaped side of said end beams being identical to the L-shaped side of said full beams; a plurality of prefabricated panel sections each having at least first and second sets of parallel spaced stringers with a section of sheathing secured thereto, said first and second sets of stringers being separated from one another to form a first locking space which is the width of the top of one of said full beams and each of said stringers formed so that its end away from said locking space is short of the end of said sheathing section by one-half the width of said first locking space thereby enabling two adjacent panels to form a second locking space at their abutting edges which lie perpendicular to their respective stringers, said second locking space being equal in width to said first locking space; said stringer members having a depth dimension substantially equal to the inside surface of said L-shaped side; and said panels disposed in juxtaposition with one another in such a fashion that each of said second locking spaces is in line with at least one of said first locking spaces of a third panel to lend structural strength to said structure by enabling an integral third panel to be secured to a beam whereat two adjacent panels are joined, said panels overlayed on said full beams and said end beams with the respective tops of said full beams fitting into both said first and second locking spaces of associated panels, while said stringers rest on the shelf portions of the L-shaped sides of both said full beams and said end beams.

2. A floor or roof structure to be used with a prefabricated building comprising in combinaton: a plurality of full beams each having a pair of substantially rectangular recesses, one on each side, and along the length thereof to form first and second L-shaped sides; a pair of end beams each having a substantially rectangular recess to form an L-shaped side and disposed on opposite ends of said structure with the L-shaped sides facing inward, the L-shaped side of said end beams being identical to the L-shaped side of said full beams; a plurality of prefabricated panel sections each having at least first and second sets of parallel spaced stringers with a section of sheathing secured thereto, said first and second sets of stringers being separated from one another to form a first locking space which is the width of the top of one of said full beams and each of said stringers formed so that its end away from said locking space is short of the end of said sheathing section by one-half the width of said first locking space thereby enabling two adjacent panels to form a second locking space at their abutting edges means? 5 which lie perpendicular to their respective stringers, said second locking space being equal in Width to said first locking space; said stringer members having a depth dimension substantially equal to the inside surface of said L-shaped side; and said panels disposed in juxtaposition with one another in such a fashion that each of said second locking spaces is in line with at least one of said first locking spaces of a third panel to lend structural strength to said structure by enabling an integral third panel to be secured to a beam whereat two adjacent panels are joined, said panels overlayed on said full beams and said end beams with the respective tops of said full beanfs fitting into both said first and second locking spaces of associated panels, While said stringers rest on the shelf portions of the L-shaped sides of both said full beams and said end beams; said prefabricated panels including first and second types of panels, said first type of panel having only two stringers in each of its sets with each stringer respectively disposed one-third the Width of said panel from an opposite length side and from each other, said first type panel so constructed to define the ends of said structure which are not defined by said end beams; said second type of panel including at least three stringers in each of its sets with one stringer in each set overhanging the length end of said panel by half the Width of said stringer, said overhangiir stringers forming a means of joining one panel with another.

References Qited by the Examiner UNXTED STATES PATENTS 649,352 5/ ()0 Rector 206 719,396 1/93 Watson 50405 1,156,206 10/15 Brown 20-6 1,546,130 7/25 Hannay 206 1,779,325 10/30 Manning 20-6 X 2,348,724 5/44 Carpenter 20-6 X 2,883,711 4/59 Kunip 202 FOREIGN PATENTS 121,832 1930 Austria. 937,301 1948 France.

60,760 1891 Germany.

1,234 1779 Great Britain. 21,081 1902 Great Britain. 29,256 1904 Great Britain.

JACOB L. NACKENOPF, Primary Examiner.

r WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, Examiner. 0 

1. A FLOOR OR ROOF STRUCTURE TO BE USED WITH A PREFABRICATED BUILDING COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A PLURALITY OF FULL BEAMS EACH HAVING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR RECESSES, ONE ON EACH SIDE, AND ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF TO FORM FIRST AND SECOND L-SHAPED SIDES; A PAIR OF END BEAMS EACH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR RECESS TO FORM AN L-SHAPED SIDE AND DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID STRUCTURE WITH THE L-SHAPED SIDES FACING INWARD, THE L-SHAPED SIDE OF SAID END BEAMS BEING INDENTICAL TO THE L-SHAPED SIDE OF SAID FULL BEAMS; A PLURALITY OF PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS EACH HAVING AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND SETS OF PARALLEL SPACED STRINGERS WITH A SECTION OF SHEATHING SECURED THERETO, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SETS OF STRINGERS BEING SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER TO FORM A FIRST LOCKING SPACE WHICH IS THE WIDTH OF THE TOP OF ONE OF SAID FULL BEAMS AND EACH OF SAID STRINGERS FORMED SO THAT ITS END AWAY FROM SAID LOCKING SPACE IS SHORT OF THE END OF SAID SHEATHING SECTION BY ONE-HALF THE WIDTH OF SAID FIRST LOCKING SPACE THEREBY ENABLING TWO ADJACENT PANELS TO FORM A SECOND LOCKING SPACE AT THEIR ABUTTING EDGES WHICH LIE PERPENDICULAR TO THEIR RESPECTIVE STRINGERS, SAID SECOND LOCKING SPACE BEING EQUAL IN WIDTH TO SAID FIRST LOCKING SPACE; SAID STRINGER MEMBERS HAVING A DEPTH DIMENSION SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE INSIDE SURFACE OF SAID L-SHAPED SIDE; AND SAID PANELS DISPOSED IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH ONE ANOTHER IN SUCH A FASHION THAT EACH OF SAID SECOND LOCKING SPACES IS IN LINE WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FIRST LOCKING SPACES OF A THIRD PANEL TO LEND STRUCTURAL STRENGTH OF SAID STRUCTURE BY ENABLING AN INTEGRAL THIRD PANEL TO BE SECURED TO A BEAM WHEREAT TWO ADJACENT PANELS ARE JOINED, SAID PANELS OVERLAYED ON SAID FULL BEAMS AND SAID END BEAMS WITH THE RESPECTIVE TOPS OF SAID FULL BEAMS FITTING INTO BOTH SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOCKING SPACES OF ASSOCIATED PANELS, WHILE SAID STRINGERS REST ON THE SHELF PORTIONS OF THE L-SHAPED SIDES OF BOTH SAID FULL BEAMS AND SAID END BEAMS. 